The price of designer perfumes seems to creep up every single time you go to repurchase your firm favourite.
With some popular perfumes costing upwards of £300 - think Oud for Greatness and the Chanel Exclusifs collection – you may be on the hunt for a more reasonably-priced alternative that you know won't break the bank every time you want to treat yourself to a new bottle.
With budgeting more important now than ever, it's clear why some may believe that splashing the cash on an expensive perfume for everyday wear is frivolous – so here are some of my favourite budget options to celebrate World Fragrance Day (March 21).
Scope – Across Space: £32 for 50ml
Across Space is described as "a fresh, woody and musky fragrance that stimulates the intellect and adds a mysterious touch with Metanoid Accord," it's said to be a "fresh, futuristic and metallic blend".
Said to be similar to the Glossier You fragrance, Oriflame make a disclaimer when it comes to this perfume, saying: "At Oriflame, we value unique creative approach of each perfumer we work with much better than replicating the latest fragrance trends directly. With no ‘dupes’ in our portfolio per se, you might still find unique scents sharing a similar style with you beloved fragrances. All it takes is an open mind and a bit of scent-curiosity."
Having used Glossier You, I can confirm the two are very similar, but this is much more affordable, with the Glossier version setting buyers back around £60-70, depending on the store. Perhaps controversially, I actually prefer the way that this cheaper perfume sits on my skin and the way it smells. It's very similar but doesn't have the same 'skin-scent enhancer' claim as Glossier's more expensive counterpart, and I do think it's nicer for it and more long-lasting on me, personally.
Kylie Jenner – Cosmic: from £27.20 for 30ml
Described as an "ambery floral" scent, there's something about this perfume that leaves me wanting more. It's not particularly complex, but what it lacks there, it makes up for in unabashed femininity – and I think that's why I love it so much.
You could wear it out shopping, on a night out with the girls, even to an important work meeting, and you could guarantee that people would be asking where your perfume is from.
With an opening of star jasmine and blood orange, a heart of golden amber accord and red peony accord, and a base of vanilla musk accord and cedarwood, there's a reason why this perfume has become incredibly popular in the short time it's been around. Affordable and moreish, this could easily become your next day-to-day scent.
Auora – Pretty Woman: £9.89 for 100ml
When I say that this perfume, given the extremely low price point, is absolutely stunning, I mean it. Said to be similar to Dior's Miss Dior, I can certainly see the resemblance between the two. This doesn't last as long as the more expensive version, but for less than a tenner, who cares? You get 100ml of it so that you can spray it to your heart's content.
It apparently "contains over 900 sprays" in each bottle, so it's perfect for taking away on holiday, and I'd say it needs topping up every couple of hours or so.
The brand "offers a touch of opulence without the hefty price tag, redefining luxury by making it accessible to all, without compromising on quality," which is ideal if you're trying to save some pennies.
LaCura – Meadow Bouquet: £4.99 for 100ml
This perfume is often compared to Gucci Flora Gorgeous Jasmine, and I can't get over how similar these perfumes are. Yes, Gucci has the edge, but it's also more than £100 more expensive for the same amount of perfume. This is certainly similar enough to satisfy even the most staunch of scent snobs.
Opting for a cheaper perfume is ideal for spraying every single day and not feeling like you have to save them for special occasions – because with a fiver price tag, every day can be a special occasion.
Keep your eyes peeled for other Aldi scents, too, as they're always launching them – and they're often similar enough to more expensive perfumes satisfy while you save up for the £100 price tag of the original.
What's your favourite budget perfume? Let us know in the comments...
